Description
This Pizza Casserole combines all the beloved flavors of a classic pizza in a hearty, baked casserole that's perfect for family meals or gatherings.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces of pasta (like rotini or penne)
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage or ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 can (15 ounces) pizza sauce
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente; drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, brown the Italian sausage or beef with the onion, garlic, and bell pepper until the meat is fully cooked and the vegetables are tender.
- Stir in the pizza sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and mushrooms (if using). Simmer for about 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Combine the cooked pasta with the meat and sauce mixture. Spread half of this mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle one cup of mozzarella cheese over the pasta layer. Add the remaining pasta mixture on top, then cover with the remaining mozzarella and pepperoni slices.
- Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.
Notes
- Feel free to add other pizza toppings of your choice, such as olives, anchovies, or different types of cheese.
- For a lighter version, use turkey sausage and low-fat cheeses.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 65mg